Can Your Kids Be Whoever They Want To Be in Life?
There is a powerful and pervasive cultural myth being piped into our kids these days, and you are a bad parent if you don’t buy into it. The myth says that our kids can be whoever they want to be in life.
Is this idea BIBLICAL?
Is it TRUE or even REALISTIC?
The idea that you can be whoever you want to be is the central theme in countless books, movies, and television shows. Check out this back cover of a book from a Christian children’s author:
“Do you believe you can have, do or be anything you want? Well, you can. Your wonderful imagination makes all your dreams possible, so keep on dreaming!”
In episode 81 of CHRISTIAN PARENT/CRAZY WORLD, I tackle this topic head on to establish what is Biblical and what is cultural when it comes to the dreams that our children pursue in life.
According to our culture, if you can dream it, you can be it. So the pressure is on for parents to support our child’s dream no matter what it is. After all, one of the most popular verses in the Bible tells us that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Phil. 4:13)
We often fail to note that this verse is cherry-picked out of a section where Paul talks about his countless struggles, sharing how he has learned contentment with little or with much, in hunger or well fed. This verse is often used to promote the pursuit of a glorious dream yielding material success. It is seldom used to console someone whose dream has been crushed. And yet Paul said that in Christ, we can be content in both of those realities.
Can our kids be whoever they want to be in life?
No.
Nor do we want them to be.
To find out who our kids can be and what I said to my son when he told me that he wants to be a Major League Baseball player when he grows up, tune into this powerful episode ofCP/CW. You can listen to this podcast on Life Audio by clicking on the image below:
Or you can listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts. And please consider giving CPCW a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. That would make my day!
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
“The Hill: Sports film inspires but falls into familiar prosperity Gospel trap” by Collin Garbarino
SCRIPTURES REFERENCED:
Philippians 4:6
Philippians 4:8
Philippians 4:11-13
